As I was returning from a business trip last night (1/15/09), I got a great look at a Short-eared Owl at the Dayton International Airport.  Just after American 1822 rolled off the runway at 16:45 (deeping gloom just before sunset), I saw a SEOW at close range sitting on a taxiway light out my side of the plane.  It looked startled by the jet, and flew a short distance to an adjacent light, and as we rolled up, then flew across the taxiway in front of the plane, and I lost sight of it.  Of course, the conditions were moderate snow coming down with several inches on the ground.  Don't know if the owl is visible from any of the public lots/viewpoints, etc.  The bird was along Runway 6L/24L approximately across from the old Emery building, so about 2/3 the way down the big runway towards the SW.  We've seen Snowy Owl at the DIA in the past but this is the first time I've seen a Short-eared Owl there.
 

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